Packing



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April 15 1.924.

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-to the cylinder 5 beneat Patented Apr. 15, 1924.

UNITED STATES CARLES F. SCHWENNKR, OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YGRK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW. YORK.

PACKING.

-Application led November 6, 1920. Serial Ho. 425,301.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHARLES F. ScHwENN- RER, a citizen of-the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Packings, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to packings such as are used to prevent leakage between two relatively moving members, one application being in connection with a cylinder and piston to prevent leakage between them. It relates particularly to packings of the type comprising a flexible ring, such as a leather ring, which is U-shaped in cross-sec. tion and is expanded by the pressure in the cylinder, such packings being ordinarily known as cuppackings- The object of my invention is to provide an improved structure, and arrangement in a packing of this type and for a consideration of what I believe to be novel and my invention, attention is directed to the accompanying description and the claims appended thereto.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 shows a cylinder and piston, in the present instance a cylinder and piston of an hydraulic press,

equipped with a packing embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective-view with parts broken away of a portion of the packing; Fig. 3 is a transverse view of the packing before it is placed in a groove in a cylinder or piston wall, and Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the packing in position in a groove. j

Referring to the drawing, 5 indicates a. cylinder, in the present instance, the cylinder of an hydraulic press, and 6 a piston which moves therein. At 7 is an opening through which actuatin iuid is admitted piston 6 and dis` charged therefrom. In one of the elements, as for example, in the wall of cylinder 5 is a groove 8 to receive a packing.

According to my invention l provide a packing comprising an annular ring 9 of flexible material, preferably leather, which `is U-shaped in cross-section whereby an annular groove 10 is formed, and in groove 10 is an annular metallic spring member 11 which likewise is ll-shaped in cross-section and which serves to spread the two sides.

of the ill-shaped ring 9 apart. The metallic spring member is lmade preferably from e continuous piece of wire of suitablel digroove 8 the outer ends of thc metallicl spring member are squeezed together as best shown in' Fig. 4. The spring member then exerts an expanding pressure `on the sides of the' leather packing which .acts to make the leather packing closely hug the piston wall and it will be noted that this pressure is applied mostly at the outer ends of the two sides of the packing ring where it is lnost useful and most needed.

Viewed from one aspect, the spring member may be considered as' comprising a plurality of U-shaped spring elements which extend transversely of the packing and are held in spaced relation to each other, this latter function being performed inthe present instance, by the parts of' the wire which extend longitudinally of the packing.

Since the spring member 11 is flexible it does not interfere with the bend of the packing when inserting it in the packing groove. A `cup packing with the spring member therein can be twisted or bent without difculty, to bring it to a diameter so it can be inserted in the cylinder and this in no way deranges or injures the spring member.

A ill-shaped packing of this type is usually arranged `with its open side facing against the direction of leakage so the pressure acts to expand or spread the two sides of the packing apart to make it hug closely against the adjacent walls and in connection with my spring wire metallic expanding member, it will be noted that it in no way interferes with the expansion of the packing by the pressure. This is an important consideration as it means that the force of the spring means is added directly to the .force of the pressure in expanding the acking.

Furthermore, the arrangement as the great advantage that it is very eicient in operation and vvery durable. The spring expanding member may be made from. coploo per wire for example, and will not disintegrate or shed any particles which may work down into the cylinder and out through opening 7 to cause trouble in the usual control Valves.,

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof', but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. The combination with acylinder and 'a piston one of which is provided with an annular seat, of a packing member U-shaped in cross section located on said seat, a plurality of spring elements U-shaped in cross section located bet-Ween the sides of the packing member, ,whereby the free edges of the packing member are expanded into engagement with the piston and cylinder surfaces, and means for holding said elements in spaced relation to each other.

2. A packing comprising a member U- shaped in cross-section and formed from exible material such as leather, and a universally flexible metallic spring expanding member located between the sides of said first named Amember, said metallic spring member being formed of a piece of Wire reversely bent on itself.

3. A packing comprising an annular member U-shaped in cross section and formed from flexible material such as leather, a plu rality of metallic spring elements U-shaped in cross section, located between the sides of the said annularmember and serving to expand its free edges, and means for holding said elements in spaced relation to each other.

4. A packing comprising an annular member, U-shaped in cross-section, and formed from flexible material such as leather, a me tallic spring member U-shaped in cross-section located between the sides of the first named member, said metallic spring member being formed of a piece of wire reversely bent on itself with adjacent bends spaced apart so such member can be bent to the torm desired. Y

The combination with a cylinder and piston one of which is provided with an annular packing groove, of a packing in the groove con'xprising a ring, U-sliapcd in crossscction and made of flexible material such as leather, and a metallic .spreader ring formed of a continuous piece of wire reversely bent on itself to form a ring U-shaped in crossscction between the sides ol said first-named ring.

6. A metallic spreader ring for a packing comprising a wire reversely bent on itself to form a continuons strip U-shaped in crosssection. l

7. A packing comprising an annular member U-shaped in cross sectionand formed from flexible material such as leather, a plurality of spaced spring elements located between the sides of the annular member for expanding its free edges, each spring mexn- 4ber being U-shaped, and means for holding said elements in spaced relation to each other.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 5th day of November 1920.

CHARLES F. SCHWENNKER. 

